One of the most basic techniques to master in photography is how to focus on your subject. There are times when a blurred subject is okay (and I’ll cover that at a later time) but for the most part you will always want to be able to control the focus of what you are shooting in your photos. One of the biggest problems for many smartphone photographers seems to be the ability to produce a clear image. I'll address some common problems and provide solutions that will have your photos . . .

Have your holiday smartphone photos been a disaster in the past? You may have shot 100s of photos of cute kids or puppies or Uncle Waldo passed out from a turkey coma and after looking at them later realized it was an awful mess of blur, cut-off body limbs and low lighting nightmares. Let’s do something to change that this year with a few tips that will have you and your loved ones saying . . .

If you enter a competition, you want to win. You want all others to come after you. There is no other motivation. When you don’t win, you can feel despondent. You examine your work. You hold it up to that of the winners. You cast an overly-critical eye on it and wonder where the hell you are going in your photographic journey. But, this feeling passes. And it passes because the endeavour, the hobby, the passion you have for it cannot be diminished by . . .

Let's face it. Even if you're given a DSLR camera, the likelihood of you carrying it with you everywhere you go is slim to none. However, your smartphone is with you practically everywhere you go, so if you have an interest at all in photography, it's time to put your phone to . . .

Shooting in fog can be exciting and challenging at the same time. Especially when using your phone. In this blog post I offer insights from my experience in shooting foggy shots and then editing them using the HandyPhoto and Snapseed apps.

If I had to pick my favorite weather conditions in which to shoot photos it would definitely be FOG. There are several reasons I like the moody goodness of a hazy atmosphere. Fog focuses greater attention on a particular subject in . . .

One thing we all fight is time. Whether we are busy parents chasing kids and our jobs or students trying to keep ahead of the next assignment: time is the enemy. So when it comes to the moments involved in snapping photos, editing, and posting them in social media or having them printed, where do you find . . .

Several years ago I picked up a point and shoot Canon for taking photos of family and events. I dabbled some with Photoshop Elements as I learned a little about editing and photography. Then through friends, tutorials, and photo communities I discovered mobile photography with a smartphone. I quickly became an . . .

I'm amazed at what can be done with the camera on your smartphone, a few apps, and a little practice. I encourage you to join this SmartPhotos Blog as I post articles and thoughts about mobile photography.

Spark your own creativity as you learn how to capture the stories around you, preserving and bringing them to life to share with others!